Chapter 95: Monkey Business?

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In a certain space within the Netherworld, an imitation of the of the Celestial Court unfolded. 

Among the numerous ancient Japanese-style buildings, inside an inconspicuous palace...

Atop a pile of hay, a golden-haired monkey, about 80 centimeters tall, was feasting on bananas and peaches, one in each hand. Just as he swallowed a mouthful of peach, he froze.

"I sense the aura of a Godslayer approaching. Well, it has been a while since that… what was his name… Haru. Could he have found a way?" 

The golden monkey looked expectantly at the palace gate. Had it been 300 years already? To be treated like a pet monkey here, as a God of War… this was the second time now. The last time was when he had been trapped beneath that bump-covered Buddha's Finger. 

But he didn't harbor any resentment towards the Buddha. There was no point in resenting someone stronger. Defeat was defeat. He would just get stronger and take revenge later. 

But towards the one who had imprisoned him here, the deceitful god who had tricked and bound him, he felt nothing but burning hatred. He longed to tear him limb from limb and devour his marrow.

But he couldn't.

The moment he was released and descended upon the earth, he would be consumed by madness, his true nature unleashed. 

If he were set free, he would undoubtedly clash with those Devil Kings on Earth, fighting until he killed them all or was sent back to the realm of myth. There was no third option, no path for revenge or redemption. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but he had no choice.

"Forget it, as long as I can get out. I don't want to stay in this wretched place any longer."

He forcefully shoved the half-eaten peach and banana into his mouth, gulping them down in a single bite. He then turned his head slightly, his fiery golden eyes gazing at the three figures who had appeared before him.

"You're here. Oh ho, two Devil Kings at once."

Haru, holding the hands of Luo Hao and Toujou Miki, appeared in the palace where the Monkey God sat.

"Oh, it's you. I thought it was some other Devil King. By the way, what's your name?" The monkey scratched his head in frustration as he asked.

"To think that my name isn't etched in your memory. How unfortunate. Then, allow me to introduce myself once more. And then, you shall face death for the sin of forgetting." Luo Hao glared coldly at the monkey, her voice icy. 

"Luo Hao. Leader of Holy Cult of the Five Mountains."

"Luo Hao, is it? I'll remember it this time. Now then…" 

He glanced at Toujou Miki, then at the ceremonial sword she held, his eyes narrowing slightly. His fiery golden gaze shimmered, and within his pupils, the scene of the mortal world reflected.

A winged Serpent ( Leviathan ), its body pitch-black and covered in wounds, soared above the West Heaven Palace, circling relentlessly. 

"Hahaha! The Serpent has manifested, the Miko of Calamity wields the ceremonial blade, all three elements are in place!" He grinned, laughing heartily.

Toujou Miki glanced at Haru, releasing her hand from his grasp. Her left hand tightened around the sword as she walked towards the monkey.

Toujou Miki's eyes softened with regret. She had met Sun Wukong when she was ten years old. As a Miko, she had played with this mischievous monkey for over 200 years… If she unleashed her power of Calamity, this might be their last meeting. Toujou Miki hesitated, raising the sword several times, only to lower it again.

"Lass, this is the first time I'm asking you for something… Will you let me out? I'd rather die in battle than be imprisoned until I go mad." The monkey grinned, reaching out to ruffle Toujou Miki's hair.

"You messed up my hair again after I worked so hard to style it! …Fine, since it's your first request, I'll reluctantly agree… Congratulations, Mr. Sun. Due to your good behavior, you're being released from prison today." Tears welled up in Toujou Miki's eyes. The sword in her hand shimmered with a faint golden light. Thud! She struck the monkey's head.

"In the hazy morning mist, Islands disappear from view, a parting boat, hard to ignore." Toujou Miki chanted, slashing the sword to the north, south, east, and west.

"Man and woman unite, Black & White entwined, a life conceived. Ten months pass, a human being received. Though not separate from my body, it's a human form, clearly perceived." Chanting the verses, she danced, her sword flashing. 

The gateway between the mortal world and the Netherworld, a square-shaped hole barely large enough for three people to pass through, suddenly expanded.

The sky, painted red by the rising sun, was the view of the mortal world.

"Ho ho, that Leviathan seems to be heavily wounded. We must hurry." The monkey's body gradually turned to stone. By the time he finished speaking, he had become a monkey-shaped statue.

At the beginning of Journey to the West, Sun Wukong was born from a spirit stone that absorbed the essence of nature. This was a reenactment of that process, giving birth to a god from the spirit stone formed from the sealed monkey.

Toujou Miki raised the sword high, channeling a surge of magical energy, and slammed it down on the stone, right where the monkey's head was.

Crack! 

The monkey's head began to transform back into flesh and blood. The petrification gradually receded, starting from the head. First, the top of his head appeared, then his eyes.

His eyes had turned crimson. The whites of his eyes were now red, with only his pupils remaining gold. These were the Fiery Golden Eyes, the divine vision Sun Wukong have.

Haru's lips curled into a slight smile as he approached the partially-restored monkey, placing his hand on his unpetrified head.

Within his soul, the egg pulsed with invisible energy.

Sun Wukong widened his eyes, staring at the silver-haired youth, and grinned, baring his teeth. "I owe you one, old friend."

Boom! 

The petrification vanished, and Sun Wukong leaped three meters into the air.

He wore shining golden armor, a golden crown reflecting light. He held aloft a golden-banded staff, his feet clad in cloud-walking shoes.

His strange eyes shone like stars, his ears extended past his shoulders, firm and strong. His body shifted with ease, his voice resonant as a temple bell.

A sharp-mouthed, fanged horse groom, his ambition soared to be the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. 

"I'm back!!!" Sun Wukong roared, then reached into his ear and pulled out a golden needle. 

He blew on the needle. "Expand!"

The golden needle instantly transformed into a six-meter-long staff, as thick as a bowl - the Ruyi Jingu Bang [Gold-Banded Staff].

His right hand grasped the staff and swung it forward, splitting the Netherworld space.

The crack was five meters long and two meters wide. Through it, they could clearly see the scene on the other side.

...

In a Japanese-style courtyard, an old man, an old monk, and a young woman sat in a triangle formation, their legs crossed. They were the elder leaders of the History Compilation Committee.

Susano'o, the Takehaya Susanoo-no-Mikoto; Princess with Glass Eyes. Sita; and the Ascetic Monk, who had achieved Buddhahood in the flesh.

"This is bad…" Susano'o instantly summoned the Totsuka-no-Tsurugi, thrusting it towards Sun Wukong.

One strike shattered the Totsuka-no-Tsurugi. 

Two strikes shattered his arms.

Three strikes pierced his chest.

Sun Wukong froze. 

...

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